Extension table and extension arm therefor



June 19, 1956 F. HAFEKOST 2,751,269

EXTENSION TABLE AND EXTENSION ARM THEREFOR Filed April 11, 1955 3Sheets-Sheet l IN V EN TOR. fiEDER/c/(HA FEKosr ATTORNEYS.

June 19, 1956 F. HAFEKOST EXTENSION TABLE AND EXTENSION ARM THEREFOR 5Sheets-Sheet Filed April 11, 1955 INVENTOR.

J W w K m m A n H J MM H .L M M "W June 19, 1956 F. HAFEKOST EXTENSIONTABLE AND EXTENSION ARM THEREFOR Filed April 11, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 3INVENTOR.

2 is r NM 2.

A TTORNEVJ.

EXTENSHGN TABLE AND EXTENSION ARM: THEREFOR Frederick Hafekost,Hopatcong, N. 3., assignor to Steal Slides, Inc., New Rochelle, N. Y., acorporation of New York Application April 11, 1955, Serial No. 509,477

7 Claims. (Cl. 311--75) This invention relates to tables, and moreparticularly to extension tables having separable top portionswhich canbe separated from one another for the purpose of introducing additionaltable leaves. The invention also relates to extension arms for mountingsuch separable table top portions.

The invention in one aspect thereof is constituted by a table having acenter pedestal or support and which mounts a pair of extension armswhich are in normally full telescoped relationship when the separabletable top portions (e. g. table top half elements) are adjacent oneanother in engaging relation, the slide elements of the two extensionarms being in substantially extended relationship thereby separatingsuch halves of the table top when it is desired to insert additionalleaves to the table. The table top half elements are concurrentlymovable in opposite directions by virtue of the special construction ofsuch two extension arms in such a manner that the moving of one of thehalf elements of the table causes a corresponding and opposite movementof the other half element of the table top. Each of the extensionarmsincludes in combination three nesting slide elements. Each of suchslide elements comprises an integral folded strip of metal and includesa pair of outwardly directed primary flanges, there being a pair ofexteriorly accessible subchannel portions formed along opposite outeredges of respective of said primary flanges,- and a pair of inwardlydirected flanges respectively connectedalong their outer edges torespective of the aforementioned subchannel portions, each inwardlydirected flange being spaced from its respective subchannel portionthereby to define a pair of interiorly accessible subchannel portionsformed to receive in longitudinal sliding engagement the respectiveprimary flanges of another such slide-element. In order to effect theaforementioned movement of the table top halves concurrently in oppositedirections, the two outer slide elements of each extension arm areoperatively associated with the middle slide element therebetween insuch a Way that movement of one of the outer slide elements causes equaland opposite movement of the other slide element. Thus a pair ofsprocket Wheels is secured to the middle slide element of each extensionarm over which it passes for supporting a sprocket chain therebetween,there being thus two sprocket chains and two pairs of such sprocketwheels. Each of the outer slide elements of each extension arm isconnected to opposite runs of its respective sprocket chain. One of theouter slide elements of each extension arm is connected to' the adjacentsprocket chain near one extremity of such slide element, and the otherof the outer slide element is connected to the other run of the sprocketchain but near the opposite extremity of such slide element. One of theseparable table top elements is secured to and rests upon a pair ofcorresponding outer'slide' elements of such pair of extension arms, theother table top portion resting upon and'bein'gsecured to the other pairof outer slide elements of the pair of extension arms; Thus saidtabletop portions are reciprocably movable Patented June 19, 1956 2concurrently in opposite directions in a substantially common plane.

One of the objectsof the present invention is to provide a novel tableconstruction having separable table top portions which can be' spreadfor the insertion of extra tableleaves'with great ease and by oneperson.

A further object is to provide a table construction of this general typewhich. is of substantially lower cost as compared'to extension tables ofthe prior art.

Another object is to provide anextension table, the separable table topportions of which canbe easily separated without jamming or sticking,the extension mechanism thereof not being, subjectto'swellingas causedby humid ity.

The above and further objects and novel features of the invention willmore fully appear from the following detailed description when the sameis read in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is to' beexpressly understood that the drawings are for' purposes of illustrationonly and are not intended as a definition of the limits of theinvention, reference for this latter purpose being bad to'the appendedclaims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one form of table embodying the presentinvention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of'the' table shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view, partly in section and with partsbroken away, of one of the three elements of the extension arms employedin the table shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the extension arm shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. Sis an invertedplan or bottom view of the extension arm shown inFig. 4 with the three slide elements thereof in telescopingrelationship;

Fig. 6 is a bottom view of the aforementionedextension arm shown in Fig.5 but on a somewhat reduced scale ascompared thereto andshowingtheextension arm with the elements thereof in a relativelyextended condition; and

Fig. 7 isabottomview of the extensionarm of Fig; 6 with the partsthereof in substantially fully telesccped relationship.

Referring tothe drawings, the novel table 'is generally designated bythe numeral 10* and is constituted by a central pedestal or supportmember 11 having legs 12 which rest upon suitable feet 13'.

The table" 10 is providedwith separable top portions which, in the formshown, are table top halves i4" and 15 which rest uponextension arms 16'and 17 which in turn are supported by the aforementioned pedestal 11.Each table top-half restsupon' corresponding outer slide elements of theextension arms-16-and17, that is, the table top half l i'rests uponslide elements 18and 19and the top half element 15 rests upon slideelements 20 and'21.

The slide elements 18 and 20 constitute the outer of such elements ofthe extension arm 16; there being one additional of such elements 22comprising the relatively stationary one which iszrigidlysecured bysuitable brackets 23 and ZSato the pedestal 1-1 Such brackets-aresecured to oppositeextremities of the slide element 222 Similarly, theslide elements 19 and- 21 comprise the outer of such elementSo'fthe-extension arm 17, the mid dleor center elementZ i ofWhich-is alsosuitably secured to the pedestal ll-by its respective brackets 25" and-25a, which are similarly seouredt'o opposite extremities of theslide'element 24-, asis shown in Figs; 3-7.

There will now be described'one of the-aforementioned extension arms,for example,.arm.17', referencebeing had particularly to Figs, 3-7

Each of the extension. arms, such as 17, is composed of exactly threeslide elements and' each such slide element is well shown incross-section in Fig. 3. One of such slide elements 19 will now bedescribed, it being understood that the other slide elements of suchextension arm are duplicates thereof, as are the slide elements of theextension arm 16.

The slide element 19 is constituted by a main or center channel portion26 having opposite channel sides 26a and 26b. The main channel portion26 in transverse cross-section, as in Fig. 3, is formed with a bottom(or base) portion 27 of relatively restricted transverse outerdimension, and a flared portion 28 having a transverse inner dimensionwhich is substantially equal to but slightly greater than theaforementioned transverse outer dimension of the bottom channel part 27.The flared portion 28 is adapted for engaging in nested relation with abottom channel part of a next adjacent slide element.

The slide element 19 is an integral strip of folded sheet metal. A pairof oppositely extending primary flanges 29 and 30 are integral with andextend along the upper opposite edges of the main channel 26.

The primary flanges 29 and 30 are respectively provided with primarylips 31 and 32 which also comprise folds which herein are sometimesdesignated as flange folds which respectively secure to the slideelement the slide elements sides 33 and 34 (also sometimes referred todouble groove or channel portion). The slide element sides 33 and 34 arerespectively (as viewed in Fig. 3) in transverse cross-section in theshape substantially of an S and a reverse 8 thereby forming a pair ofexteriorly accessible subchannels 35 and 36 next adjacent the respectiveof said opposite primary flanges 29 and 30. Said slide element sidesalso form a pair of interiorly accessible and oppositely disposedsubchannels 37 and 38 which are positioned for receiving the respectiveprimary flanges of the next adjacent slide element. The transversedistance between the opposite edges of the primary flanges is less thanthe transverse distance between the opposite floors of the twooppositely disposed interiorly accessible channels 37 and 38.

The outer edges of the flanges 29 and 30, as aforementioned, are alsoreferred to as primary lips or flange folds. The center portions 33::and 34a of said 8 and reverse 8 are some times referred to as secondaryflanges and the base portions 33b, 34b of said 8 and reverse 8 aresometimes referred to as tertiary flanges or inwardly directed flanges.

Peak folds 39 and 40 of the S and the reverse 8 33 and 34 and secondarylips or base folds 41 and 42 are formed as portions of the interiorlyaccessible subchannels.

Referring again to Fig. 3, it will be seen that the extension arm 17 issecured to the center pedestal 11 by the brackets 25 and 25a, the formerbracket being secured, for example, by rivets 43, 44, to the bottom 44aof the slide element 24, and the latter bracket 25:: being conformed toreach into the main or center channel by means of the portion 2519 bywhich it is secured, for example, by rivets to the inner floor portionof the main channel of such slide element.

The middle slide element 24 thus provides a rigid support for thesliding and nesting engagement of the other two slide elements.

The table top halves 14 and 15 are secured respectively to the slideelements 19 and 21 by any suitable interconnection. For example, thetable top half 14 in the form shown is secured to such slide element 19by means of brackets 45 and 46, the relative position of which is wellshown in transverse cross-section in Fig. 3.

The table top half 15, on the other hand, is secured to the slideeelment 21 by means of brackets 47 and 48, the latter of which is alsowell shown in Fig. 3.

Analogously, the opposite side of the table top half 14 on the oppositeside thereof is secured to the slide element 18 by means of the brackets48 and 49 and the opposite side of the table top half element 15 issecured to slide element 20 by brackets 50 and 51.

The three slide elements of each extension arm are so operativelyassociated, by means to be now described, that the two separableportions 14 and 15 of the table top can be easily separated merely bymoving one of the halves toward or away from the longitudinal centerline of the pedestal or support 11. Equal and opposite movementconcurrently occurs by the other table top half element.

The means for operatively associating the three slide elements of eacharm in this manner are well shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5. Such means forarm 17 will now be described, it being understood that similar means areprovided for arm 16.

Such means comprise an endless band, such as an endless sprocket chain53, which is mounted for movement about relatively stationary axes 54,55 situated at opposite ends thereof, the two outer slide elements 19and 21 being respectively connected to opposite runs 53a and 53b of thechain 53 by connecting fingers 56 and 57, for movement therewith as iswell shown in Fig. 5. The axes 54 and 55 comrpise the center lines ofsprocket wheels 58, 59 respectively which in turn are mounted forrotation upon shafts 6t 61, respectively. Such shafts 6t), 61,preferably but not necessarily, are secured rigidly to the lowermostsecondary lip or base fold 62 (Figs. 3 and 5) of the middle slideelement 24. However, in those forms of the invention where such middleslide element is fixedly secured to a relatively stationary support,such as pedestal 11, it is within the purview of the invention to mountthe sprocket wheels 58, 59 upon such support in lieu of such base fold62.

The sprocket wheels 58, 59 may be held upon their respective shafts bymeans of cotter pins 63, 64.

It will be observed that the finger 56, interconnecting element 19 tochain 53, is secured substantially at the righthand extremity of arm 19,as viewed in Fig. 5, and that finger 57 is secured substantially at thelefthand extremity of the other outer element 21. Thus a maximum degreeof extension of the three elements can be obtained.

Suitable limit-stops are provided to prevent excessive extension of thearms, it being desirable to maintain an adequate overlap of the elementswhen fully extended, in order to avoid straining same or the arm as awhole beyond its strength limits. Such limit-stops may comprise, forexample, cooperating lugs or car portions struck from or formed in thefloor of the main channel portions of the slide elements whereby maximumextension can be limited to the degree, shown, for example, in Fig. 1.

If desired, a hand-operated crank (not shown) can be operativelyconnected to the chain 53 or to one of the wheels 58, 59 for the purposeof manually cranking the table open as in Fig. l or shut as in Fig. 2.

What is claimed is:

1. An extension arm comprising in combination: three nesting slideelements, each slide element including a channel portion having a basepart formed with a uniform transverse outer dimension, said channelportion also having a flared part having an inner transverse dimensionsubstantially equal to but slightly greater than the aforementionedouter transverse dimension whereby such flared part of one of saidchannel portions is nestable upon the bottom part of another channelportion (said flared part having a selected depth) a pair of primaryflanges secured respectively along the parallel outer edges of saidflared part of the channel portion, a pair of double subchannel portionssecured respectively along the outer edges of said primary flanges, saiddouble subchannel portions being in transverse cross-sectionsubstantially S- and reverse S-shapcd respectively, each being securedto its respective flange by a flange fold and each having a peak foldand a base fold, said folds extending longitudinally of the slideelement and being parallel with one another thereby forming a pair ofopposed inturned flanges along the bases respectively of said doublesubchannel portions, which latter flanges, together with a respectivemid-part of each of such subchannel portions,

form a subchannel into which the opposite primary flanges extend of thenext adjacent nesting slide element; a'pair of sprocket wheels securedin spaced relationship to one of the base folds of the middle one ofsaid three duplicate slide elements; an endless sprocket chain passingover said sprocket wheels at the opposite extremities of the runsthereof and held under tension by virtue of the spaced relationship ofsaid sprocket Wheels; means for interconnecting one of the outer of saidslide elements near one extremity thereof with one run of said sprocketchain, and means for interconnecting the other of said outer slideelements to an opposite run of said chain and near an extremity thereofwhich is longitudinally opposite to the first-mentioned extremity of thefirst-mentioned outer slide element.

2. An extension arm having in combination three nesting slide elements,each slide element comprising an integral folded sheet metal memberhaving in combination: a center channel portion having a-flared outerpart conformed to nest upon a restricted'base part of the center channelof the next adjacent ,nesting slide element, the transverse innerdimension of said flared part of one channel portion beingsubstantiallyequal to but slightly greater than the transverse outerdimension of the base part of the next adjacent channel portion, a pairof opposed subchannel portions extending longitudinally of said slideelement each forming a subchannel which is substantially perpendicularto said center channel portion, the mouths of such subchannel portionsopeningoutwardly with respect to said center channel portion, each ofsaid subchannel portions having a primary lip comprising a longitudinalouter edge thereof, there being a selected distance between the opposedprimary lips of said subchannel portions, each of the latter also havinga secondary lip extending longitudinally thereof, a pair of inwardlyextending flanges secured respectively to said secondary lips and inspaced relation thereto thereby to form with respective of saidsubchannel portions another pair of subchannel portions having opposedmouths in face-to-face relationship opening inwardly toward said centerchannel portion, such other subchannel portions being constructed andarranged to receive the opposed primary lips of the next adjacentnesting duplicate slide element, the transverse dimension between suchprimary lips being less than the transverse dimension between thebottoms of such other subchannel portions; means for operativelyinterconnecting said three nesting slide elements, including endlessband means, a pair of spaced supports for said endless band meanssecured in spaced relationship along one edge of the middle of suchthree nesting slide elements; such band means being movable over suchsupports; and means for interconnecting each of the outer nesting slideelements with such endless band means.

3. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 including in combinationtherewith a second extension arm as set forth in such claim, therebyforming a pair of such arms; a center support for mounting said twoextension arms in parallel relation, the middle one of the slideelements of each such arm being secured to such center support; and apair of table top half-elements, one being secured to and resting upon apair of corresponding outer slide elements of such pair of parallelextension arms, the other table top half-element resting upon and beingsecured to the other pair of corresponding outer slide elements of suchpair of parallel extension arms, whereby said halfelements arereciprocably movable concurrently in opposite directions insubstantially a common plane.

4. Apparatus including in combination a pair of the extension arms setforth in claim 2; a support; means for securing the middle slide elementof each of said pair of extension arms to said support, said arms beingso secured in parallel relation; and a pair of members, said extensionarms mounting said members, outer slide elements of such pair ofparallel extension arms mounting one of said members, another pair ofouter slide elements of such slide elements mounting the other member,whereby said members are brought to a selected minimum degree ofseparation in response to telescoping of said elements to a determineddegree, and are brought to a selected maximum degree of separation inresponse to extension to a determined degree of saidelements of saidarms.

5. In a table construction, the combination including: a pair ofextension arms; a support member for mounting said extension arms insubstantially-parallel relationship; each of such extension armsincluding three nesting slide elements, each slide element including apair of outwardly directed primary flanges, a pair of exteriorlyaccessible subchannel portions positioned along respective of saidprimary flanges, and a pair of inwardly directed flanges respectivelyconnected along their outer edges to respective of the aforementionedsubchannel portions and each inwardly directed flange being spaced fromsuch subchannel portion to define in conjunction with a part of suchsubchannel portion a pair of interiorly accessible subchannel portionsconformed to receive in longitudinal sliding engagement the respectiveprimary flanges of another such member; means for securing the middleone of the three slide elements of each of such pair of extension armsto the aforementioned support thereby to mount said extension arms insuchparallel relationship;

two pairs of sprocket wheels, each pair of such Wheels being fixedlysecured in spaced relationship along a line extending in the directionof and adjacent its respective extension arm; a pair of endless sprocketchains, each chain being mounted by its respective pair of sprocketwheels and held thereupon with the opposite was thereof in substantiallytaut and straight condition; means for interconnecting one of the outerof said slide elements of each extension arm near one extremity thereofwith one run of said sprocket chain, and means for interconnecting theother of said outer slide elements of each of such extension arms to anopposite run of said chain and near an extremity thereof longitudinallyopposite to the first-mentioned extremity of the first-mentioned outerslide element; a pair of table top half elements resting upon saidextension arms, one of such half elements resting upon and being securedto one pair of corresponding outer slide elements of such pair ofextension arms, the other half element being secured to the other pairof outer slide elements of such extension arms, whereby said halfelements are movable concurrently in opposite directions in response toa component of force acting upon one of such half elements in adirection parallel to said extension arms.

6. In a furniture construction, the combination including: a pair ofextension arms; a support member for mounting said extension arms insubstantially parallel relationship; each of such extension armsincluding three nesting slide elements, each slide element including apair of outwardly directed primary flanges, a pair of exteriorlyaccessible subchannel portions positioned along respective of saidprimary flanges, and a pair of inwardly directed flanges respectivelyconnected along their outer edges to respective of the aforementionedsubchannel por tions and each inwardly directed flange being spaced fromsuch subchannel portion to define in conjunction with a part of suchsubchannel portion a pair of interiorly accessible subchannel portionsconformed to receive in longitudinal sliding engagement the respectiveprimary flanges of another such member; means for securing the middleone of the three slide elements of each of such pair of extension armsto the aforementioned support thereby to mount said extension arms insuch parallel relationship; two pairs of sprocket wheels, each pair ofsuch wheels being secured in spaced relationship and along a lineparallel to the aforementioned middle slide element of respective ofsaid extension arms; a pair of endless sprocket chains, each chain beingmounted by its respective pair of sprocket wheels and held thereuponwith the opposite runs thereof in substantially taut and straightcondition; means for interconnecting one of the outer of said slideelements of each extension arm near one extremity thereof with one runof said sprocket chain, and means for interconnecting the other of saidouter slide elements of each of such extension arms to an opposite runof said chain and near an extremity thereof longitudinally opposite tothe first-mentioned extremity of the first-mentioned outer slideelement.

7. In a table construction, the combination including: a pair ofextension arms; a support member for mounting said extension arms insubstantially parallel relationship; each of such extension armsincluding three nesting slide elements, each slide element including apair of outwardly directed primary flanges, a pair of exteriorlyaccessible subchannel portions positioned along respective of saidprimary flanges, and a pair of inwardly directed flanges respectivelyconnected along their outer edges to respective of the aforementionedsubchannel portions and each inwardly directed flange being spaced fromsuch subchannel portion to define in conjunction with a part of suchsubchannel portion a pair of interiorly accessible subchannel portionsconformed to receive in longitudinal sliding engagement the respectiveprimary flanges of another such member; means for securing the middleone of the three slide elements of each of such pair of extension armsto the aforementioned support thereby to mount said extension arms insuch parallel relationship; two pairs of wheels, each pair of suchwheels being secured in spaced relationship and along the aforementionedmiddle slide element of respective of said extension arms; a pair ofendless bands, each band being mounted by its respective pair of wheelsand held thereupon with the opposite runs thereof in substantially tautand straight condition; means for interconnecting one of the outer ofsaid slide elements of each extension arm near one extremity thereofwith one run of said band, and means for interconnecting the other ofsaid outer slide elements of each of such extension arms to an oppositerun of said band and near an extremity thereof longitudinally oppositeto the first-mentioned extremity of the first-mentioned outer slideelement; a pair of table top half elements resting upon said extensionarms, one of such half elements resting upon and being secured to onepair of corresponding outer slide elements of such pair of extensionarms, the other half element being secured to the other pair of outerslide elements of such extension arms, whereby said half elements aremovable concurrently in opposite directions in response to a coniponentof force acting upon one of such half elements in a direction parallelto said extension arms.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS889,284 Welterlin June 2, 1908 937,731 Wiedeman Oct. 10, 1909 978,730Gaut Dec. 13, 1910 1,180,201 Steingruber Apr. 18, 1916 1,228,233Northall May 20, 1917 1,299,687 Dabney Apr. 8, 1919 1,526,506 SchillingFeb. 17, 1925 2,712,972 Manson July 12, 1955

